West Indies opt to bat first in second test against Pakistan
The second and final Test match of the two-match series between Pakistan and the West Indies got underway at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The opening day was significantly affected by rain, disrupting play during the morning session. Persistent showers allowed only 9.5 overs to be bowled before the lunch interval, limiting the action on the field. Despite the interruptions, the West Indies made a positive start, reaching 49 for the loss of one wicket before lunch.
As play resumed in the second session, the home side continued to build their innings. At the time of reporting, the West Indies had progressed to 150 for the loss of four wickets, putting themselves in a solid position despite losing a few key batters.
Brandon King was the standout performer among the top-order batters, scoring a fluent 46 runs before being dismissed just short of a well-deserved half-century. Debutant Amir Jangoo contributed a valuable 26 runs, helping stabilize the innings after the early breakthrough. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of former West Indies batting great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, managed 15 runs before losing his wicket, while Kevlon Hodge added 10 runs to the total.
Pakistan’s bowlers managed to make regular breakthroughs, preventing the West Indies from establishing large partnerships. However, the rain interruptions and the batting-friendly conditions made it challenging for the visitors to dominate proceedings during the opening day.
Pakistan entered the match with a significantly changed playing XI, making four changes from the team that featured in the opening Test. Captain Shan Masood was ruled out due to injury and was unavailable for selection. In addition, experienced fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, and all-rounder Aamer Jamal were also left out of the playing XI.
To strengthen the squad, Pakistan handed Test debuts to fast bowlers Awais Zafar and 20-year-old Ubaid Shah, giving both players an opportunity to showcase their talent at the highest level of the game. Their inclusion reflects Pakistan’s intent to build a younger pace attack while providing valuable international experience to emerging players.
The visitors also recalled off-spinner Sajid Khan and opening batter Abdullah Shafique, both of whom returned to the playing XI after missing the previous Test. Pakistan will be hoping that the fresh faces and team changes provide the balance needed to level the series.
The stakes are high in this final Test, as the West Indies currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series following their victory in the opening encounter. A win or a draw in Port of Spain would allow the Caribbean side to secure the series, while Pakistan must register a victory to avoid a series defeat.
With rain still threatening to influence the contest, both teams will be aiming to make the most of the available playing time. As the match progresses, Pakistan’s bowlers will look to wrap up the West Indies innings quickly, while the hosts will aim to post a commanding first-innings total and strengthen their chances of sealing the series.
